Carnival

Carnival is a way of life here. Every year, around February or March (depending when Lent falls) everyone lets their hair down, forgets their problems and parties for 3 days solid. I don't get dressed up myself, but love the atmosphere and have designed and made costumes (to measure) for years now. Click on the Carnival Costumes button in the toolbar to see pics.

New fabric: SPRINGTIME

One of my favourite paintings from July. I was so happy with this I decided to make it into fabric using Spoonflower. I'll post a pic of the cushion I'm going to make when the sample arrives.

Eye pillows

These eye pillows have removable covers (made in pure silk). The inner is 100% cotton and filled with locally grown organic lavender and linseed.

Perfect for blocking out the light- the eye pillow has a little pressure on the eyes. I've found that if you pop it in the freezer for an hour or so (in a ziplock so it doesn't absorb any smells) and then use it, it does wonders for tension and sinus headaches. I use mine when I have migraines and it really does help a lot.

Aroma owls

I made these tiny owls from wool-mix felt and filled them with locally grown organic lavender and filler. They're really great to pop in drawers, keep in your handbag, car or just about anywhere. Each one is unique and handstitched from start to finish.

Watch this space for a tutorial on how to make them yourself.

Mini Aroma Owl giveaway. Ends 21st August.

Sketchbook Project 2012

I recently discovered a very exciting project called the Sketchbook Project 2012. I joined up, got my little sketchbook in the post and am a couple of pages away from finishing. The pages are really thin and not thick enough for proper watercolour painting (I tend to use 300- 350gsm paper when painting). I like painting really loosely and using huge amounts of water.

So, I decided to work with what I had, challenge myself a little and used sharpie, watercolours and coloured pencils.

Here are a couple of my favourites (all drawn and painted while watching the telly in the evening). It's been a really relaxing end to the day. I must admit I'm itching to work bigger and looser though. I now have another 2 pages to fill and then the final touches to make and I can post it off to New York.

 

UPDATE (19/08/2011): got an email today saying my sketchbook has arrived safely in New York.